uluz, sorry, you are correct - I was under the impression that the cars tested last time around were manuals, but it states in one of the picture captions that the privately owned car is a steptronic.

Good eye, and yes that does make the direct RWHP comparison between the two kinda pointless.

 

yeah, would have been nice for them to do a baseline on the same car first right?

At any rate, I'm sure that added boost helps tremendously. We all know what kind of results a tune can make with a FI application!

 

Standard features on the 335i coupe ($40,600 MSRP, $37,350 invoice which isn't hard to negotiate down to, plus dest and tax):
Performance and Efficiency
3.0-liter dual overhead cam (DOHC), 24-valve inline turbocharged 300-horsepower 6-cylinder engine with twin-turbo technology and Double VANOS steplessly variable valve timing
Electronic throttle control
6-speed manual transmission
Handling, ride and braking
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), including Brake Fade Compensation, Start-off Assistant, Brake Drying, and Brake Stand-by features, with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)
Extensive aluminum componentry, including front suspension components (forged-aluminum lower arms, steering knuckle); subframe; steering rack; and brake components
Double-pivot type front and five-link rear suspension
5-link rear suspension with cast-aluminum upper transverse arms
Front and rear anti-roll (stabilizer) bars
Twin-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers
Sport suspension calibration
4-wheel ventilated anti-lock disc brakes with Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
Engine-speed-sensitive, variable-assist power steering
Exterior
Light-alloy wheels; 17 x 8.0, Star Spoke (Style 185), 225/45R-17 run-flat1 all-season tires
Tire Pressure Monitor
Xenon Adaptive Headlights with auto-leveling
Halogen free-form front foglights
Heated dual power mirrors and heated windshield washer jets
Interior seating
8-way power front seats with 2-way manual headrests and driver memory with 2 pre-sets for seat and exterior mirror positions
Leatherette upholstery
3-spoke leather-wrapped multi-function sport steering wheel with audio and hands-free phone5 controls
Front seatback storage nets
Split fold-down rear seats
Comfort and convenience
Engine Start/Stop button
Automatic climate control – includes micro-filter, automatic air recirculation, left/right temperature control, temperature- and volume-controlled rear outlets, windshield misting sensor, maximum air conditioning, heat at rest, more powerful fan, and recall of individual user settings
2-way power glass moonroof with “one-touch” operation, sliding interior sunshade, and wind deflector
Retractable door storage pockets with covers
Front-seat center armrest with climate-controlled storage compartment
Front passenger cupholders (dashboard-integrated)
Rear-seat with fold-down center armrest with dual cupholders and storage bin with retractable cover
Tilt/telescopic steering wheel column
Power front windows with "one-touch" up/down operation
Dynamic Cruise Control
BMW Ambiance interior lighting along doors and side of rear cabin
Courtesy lights – include fade in/fade out, actuation from remote, automatic switch-on when engine is turned off, separately controlled left/right front and rear reading lights, front footwell lighting, and illuminated vanity mirrors
Ground lighting located in bottom of exterior door handles
Automatic safety belt assistant
Locking glovebox
Electric interior trunk release
Rain-sensing windshield wipers and Automatic headlight control
Pre-wiring for BMW center installation of mobile phone, alarm system
Audio system
Logic7 Surround Sound anti-theft AM/FM stereo CD/MP3 player audio system with 13 upgraded speakers (including 2 subwoofers), Digital Sound Processing (DSP), Radio Data System (RDS), Auto-Store and 3-channel FM diversity antenna; displays MP3 song title and artist
Auxiliary audio input for portable music players located in the center armrest
Pre-wiring for BMW center installation of 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, satellite radio
Instrumentation and Controls
Service Interval Indicator with miles-to-service readout
Check Control vehicle monitor system with pictogram display, oil status display, and Condition Based Service indicator
On-board computer with check control - provides feedback on the vehicle's operating status: oil level indicator and distance to next service appointment/oil change, as well as other detailed information such as spark plug and micro-filter status. It also provides travel information – travel range on remaining fuel, external temperature, and more.
Safety and Security
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Adaptive Brake Lights
MRS5 centralized safety control system
Front and rear Head Protection System (HPS)
Automatic safety belt pretensioners and load-limiters at front seating positions
Driver’s and passenger’s front airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with “smart” dual-threshold, dual-stage deployment and sensor to help prevent unnecessary passenger’s airbag deployment
Seat-mounted front side-impact airbags
Front passenger seat-occupation recognition with Passenger’s Airbag Off indicator
Interlocking door anchoring system to help protect against door intrusion in side impacts
Central locking system with center console switch (leaves gas filler door unlocked), double-lock feature and 2-step unlocking
Coded Driveaway Protection
Automatic-locking retractors (ALR) on all passenger safety belts for installation of child-restraint seat
LATCH attachments on child-restraint safety installation
Crash sensor that automatically turns on hazard lights and interior lights, and unlocks doors
Programmable daytime running lights
Fiber-optics-based MOST-BUS architecture for safety systems
BMW Ultimate Service™
BMW Ultimate Service is a collection of services that comes with all new BMWs, at no charge, for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. It includes the BMW Maintenance Program, which covers all factory-recommended maintenance and items that need replacement due to normal wear and tear; unlimited-mileage Roadside Assistance; and a New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

If your vehicle is a model year 2007 or later and is equipped with the BMW Assist™ and Bluetooth® system either as an option or as part of the Premium Package, you’ll also receive a four-year, unlimited mileage subscription to the BMW Assist Safety Plan. Among the features is TeleService, an exclusive benefit that allows your vehicle to contact your BMW center directly when it needs service or maintenance.




...now, to me, the base model 335i coupe is already modestly equipped. But if you must...


Options/Packages: (pricing on most of the options, IMO, is a bit steep)
Performance and Efficiency
6-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission with Adaptive Transmission Control
Handling, ride and braking
Active Steering with Servotronic power assist
Exterior
Metallic paint
Interior seating
Dakota Leather upholstery
3-stage heated front seats
Comfort and convenience
Comfort Access keyless entry with multi-function remote control
Park Distance Control (PDC) (rear only)
Power rear sunshade
Active Cruise Control
Audio system
SIRIUS Satellite Radio6
Instrumentation and Controls
On-board navigation system with 16:9 screen and Voice Command system; iDrive system with high-function on-board computer and controller
Safety and Security
BMW AssistTM7 with Bluetooth® wireless technology for hands-free calling with compatible Bluetooth technology enabled mobile phones8
Optional Packages
Cold Weather Package
Retractable, high-intensity headlight washers
3-stage heated front seats
Ski bag
Premium Package
4-way adjustable power lumbar support for front seats
Dakota Leather upholstery
Interior and power-adjustable folding exterior mirrors with automatic-dimming function; digital interior mirror compass
Integrated 3-button Universal garage-door opener
BMW AssistTM7 with Bluetooth® wireless technology for hands-free calling with compatible Bluetooth technology enabled mobile phones8
Sport Package
Light-alloy wheels; 18 x 8.0 front, 18 x 8.5 rear, Cross Spoke (Style 189), 225/40R-18 front, 255/35R-18 rear run-flat1 performance tires2
8-way power front sport seats with adjustable side bolsters, 2-way manual headrests and thigh support; driver memory for seat and exterior mirror positions4
Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters3

 

Not to take anything away from BMW or the 3 series as I love them but 300HP from a turbocharged six cylinder seems a bit on the "weak" side in todays world doesn't it???

 

Wow, they G8/Commodore looks a lot better than the 3 series

 

Somewhat, until you consider:

-300hp is obviously underrated from the dynos of stock 335is that are out there.

-The torque curve on that car is amazing. I'm caring less and less about peak power numbers these days because I'm rarely ever at WOT/redline... I care more about how fun and effortlessly I can fling it around from stoplight to stoplight. Driveability is a big factor not shown by peak power numbers.

-Assuming these tuned 335is putting out 340rwhp and 390tq on pump gas don't start having significant reliability issues, then it's safe to assume the OEM 335i was tuned very conservatively by BMW. It's all about potential.

 

BMW's have always seemed to run stronger than their horsepower numbers would suggest.

 

And there, ladies and gentlemen, is the quote of the week.

 

Actually, based on some of the past discussions on this board, it would seem that just about every manufacturer understates their HP/Tq ratings for their engines.

That is, of course, unless the manufacturer is someone that isn't liked.

 

Light options: low $40ks, Well equipped: high $40ks.